Tag: addiction

Hope and Help in the Midst of Drug Addiction and Rehabilitation The art of finding addiction recovery hope when searching for a drug rehab center while struggling to overcome substance abuse and behavioral health matters relating to drug addiction It is so often the case that we hear, and even feel, that overwhelming sense of hopelessness and despair in a person’s voice. Be it the addict themselves or a heartbroken loved one, that desperation brought on through substance abuse or alcoholism carries with it a tone that reverberates at a soulful level. Whether he or she is inquiring about residential treatment, detox, intervention or anything of the like, that common denominator of hopelessness is a heartbreaking scenario by any measure. Like anything else of great importance in life, the process of finding help for the suffering addict is such that…

Terminal Uniqueness is Not that Unique! “I’m Not Like Those People” The definition of Unique – being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else. The definition of Terminal – you are going to die! And when we are talking about the disease of addiction, this can be a very painful, sometimes very slow, always agonizing, death. Most alcoholics and other kinds of addicts suffer from Terminal Uniqueness. It is actually not that unique at all! She is the twin sister of Denial. Terminal Uniqueness says, “I am very special”, “My case is different”, “I never did that”, “ I would never do this”, “I am not like those people”. If addicts aren’t cured of Terminal Uniqueness very quickly when attempting recovery, it can be lethal. Newcomers and Terminal Uniqueness Many newcomers to 12 Step meetings often look around…

Are there any advantages of going abroad for alcohol and drug rehab? There are many great reasons to seek help for alcoholism and other addictions outside of the United States and Canada. The answers are really multifaceted. 13 points are discussed below, based on our experience in the field. 1. The state of addiction treatment in the United States is in chaotic flux a. The combinations of Obama-care mandatory coverage of addiction treatment, opioid epidemic, lax and unregulated laws and procedures for billing the insurance companies. The active addicts themselves turning to easy unscrupulous operations of rehabs, referral services, sober living houses, patient-brokering and exorbitant urine-testing scams. The backlash against this travesty is as to be expected – the pendulum has harshly swung to tightly controlled bureaucracies, regulations upon regulations, accreditations of accreditations. Players involved now include the giants of…

Benefits of Traveling for Addiction Recovery When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it. – Henry Ford Traveling for addiction recovery offers fresh perspectives allowing for transformative change. When considering all the options out there for addiction recovery, you will find there are all types of programs. There are in-patient, out-patient, in-state, out-of-state, national, and international addiction treatment facilities. Some drug rehabs are 12 step based or holistic in nature. Many are large institutions, some are small, private alcohol & drug rehabs. Many are local, close to home, others are international in scope in travel destinations abroad, out of country. It is important to consider your needs and resources in choosing the best program for you. There are many options to choose from. There are a lot of good…

Why High Functioning Alcoholics and Drug Users Can Benefit From Rehab Too What is a High Functioning Alcoholic or Substance Abuser? The common stereotype of an alcoholic or drug addict is a person who is out of control and dealing with obvious negative consequences as a result of their behavior. This is the face of alcoholism or other addiction that is so often portrayed in movies, soap operas, and reality shows, but this depiction is a bit misleading. The truth is most of those who develop a problem with alcohol or drugs will also become skilled at coping and hiding it – the people who fall into this category are often referred to as ‘high functioning’ or ‘high bottom’ alcoholics, or high functioning drug users. …high-functioning alcoholics are able to maintain respectable, even high-profile lives, usually with a home, family,…

The Gift of Sobriety this Christmas! 5 Reasons for Why the Holiday Season is a Good Time to Choose Rehab If an addiction has taken over your life, you are probably going to be approaching the holiday season with a sense of dread or excitement – maybe a bit of both. This is a time of year when there are plenty of excuses to party, but there is also the risk of ruining another Christmas for the people we love. A Safe Haven over the Holiday Season Each January there is a surge in the number of people trying to quit alcohol or other drugs. This isn’t just due to the popularity of New Year’s resolutions – it is also because so many of these individuals hit rock bottom over the holiday season. Maybe you will hit your rock bottom…

Your Thanksgiving Sobriety & Your Family First, from John & Jane at Serenity Vista, we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving! Another opportunity to be reminded to be grateful for all we have. Sobriety, first, followed by the promises coming true manifest in various forms of community, family, relationships, activity, and life itself. For many, especially our American friends where Thanksgiving marks the begining of the holiday season, Thanksgiving is the start of perhaps the most stressful time of year for recovering addicts and those in active addiction alike. Why? It’s about our families. Many in active addiction have core issues that stem from the family past. Don’t take your Thanksgiving sobriety lightly! Awareness is key to taking care of yourself. There are steps you can take to look after your sobriety through the holidays. The Stresses Of The Holidays…

‘Now’ is Always The Best Time If things start to go wrong – you don’t have to go with them The Best Time to go to Rehab is Before it is REALLY bad There is a saying in the rooms of recovery that a smart person can learn from their mistakes, but a wise person can learn from other people’s mistakes. When we are talking about the life threatening disease of addiction, we would all be wise not to make the fatal mistakes. The course of alcohol, nicotine and other drug addiction has been well charted over the centuries. Right now in Anytown, Anycountry, you can see the progression of the disease in the newspapers, on the streets, or maybe even in your own bedroom. Addiction is a chronic and progressive disease; untreated it never gets better, always worse. The three places…

Treating Alcoholism: Rehab or Spiritual Retreat? There are some options to explore if you are ready to put down the bottle for good – and change your life. If you are reading this, it may be your time for treating alcoholism. Ready For Recovery From Alcoholism Imagine the scenario: person, head down on the table, crying, confused. Maybe angry, definitely experiencing frustration. The person is drunk. Again. Yesterday there was the promise to stop drinking. But, there they are, drunk again. How did that happen? We know, yesterday they were as sincere as humanly possible – “I’m not going to drink tomorrow!” Alcohol – cunning, baffling, powerful. Why Do I Drink When I Know My Family and I Will Suffer? If people are sincere in their desire to stop drinking, why is that they keep getting drunk, over and over?…